Hartselle Junior Thespians excel at state festival

Special to the Enquirer  

Hartselle High  and Hartselle Junior High Theatre made waves at the Alabama Thespian Festival in February at Vestavia High School. High school students competed in 30 events, with 18 qualifying for nationals at Indiana University this summer. This year, 20 Hartselle High students qualified, a significant increase from previous years, according to drama teacher Lisa King.  

Junior High students competed in eight events, with four receiving superior scores. Among them were Alana Travers (2), Gunner Calhoun (2), Marley Roberts and Jeremiah Banks. 

Several HHS students made it to the Showcase and qualified for nationals: Cooper Reid Estep (2), Lucas McMinemon (2), Alyssa Dobbs-Langford (2), and Sage Fairchild. Additionally, Kennedy Cataline, Lily Collins (2), Bradyn Barrier, Leah Johnson, Laura Lundy, Alivia Wiley, Caydence Hanlon, Scarlet Poole, Izzy Smith-Hollin, Kaegan Olive, Jack Turner, Lily Norris, Emma Gregory, Mary Claire Culpepper, and Clara Bass qualified for nationals. 

Hartselle Theatre will host several upcoming events in the community:  

– May 3: Don Alejo’s Spirit Night 

– May 4: Character Breakfast at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center, 9:00-11:00 am 

– May 11: Micheal Dean Tribute Concert at the HHS Auditorium, 7:00 pm (Tickets cost $15) 

– May 23: El Portal #1 Spirit Night, 4-9 p.m. 

– May 31 and June 1: “Murder at the Banquet” at the Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m. 

– June 3-7: Youth Theatre Camp featuring “Jungle Book Kids,” 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  

 For tickets or camp registration, contact Lisa King at lisa.king@hartselletigers.org.